Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):

Goodwill Industries site (formerly Oja Lumber):  This project looks to be 90+% complete.

[Goodwill Industries has announced a February 9th Grand Opening date – Festivities will start at 7:00 AM and are open to the public.  The additional 4,000 square foot retail building has not pre-leased to anyone yet as far as I know – still 100% available to the best of my knowledge.  However, there are rumors out in the community that this business or that has already leased the building.  I am attempting to get Urban Works to confirm availability for me, and will update when I have something to report.  At this time, I have no information to contradict available status.]

La Bamba “Nuevo”:  Nothing new to report at this site at the moment.  Work continues on both interior and exterior.  Grand opening on Cinco de Mayo, perhaps?

Carlson property:  There has been a flurry of work going on at this site over the last few weeks, but been no calls for final inspections yet.  It is starting to look like Sandy’s inaugural food cart pod may be open for the

Scooter’s Sports Bar & Restaurant (Sandy Marketplace):  Had a chance to stop in and check out Mr. Detweiler’s progress on this space.  He seems to be about 50% complete with the interior remodel, and the results are very encouraging so far.  The kitchen was in fairly bad shape when he started, and there are some pieces of equipment that will have to be replaced, but it will be significantly better once complete.  I am very impressed with the interior design work – very different from what was there previously, and seems well thought out.  Shooting for a spring opening…

The Elusive Trout:  According to the owner, this business is closed and on temporary hiatus due to some internal issues.  They intend to re-open sometime in February after making some minor changes.  We are working with the owner improved signage and visibility issues.

Project work:  

• City departmental webpages: This project is on hold for the next few months while EvoGov does a site upgrade for us.  City manager, IT Director and I will be doing some training with EvoGov’s CEO involving our new platform on 2/7.  The look of the page should not change significantly, but we are being told that functionality will increase markedly.
• Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant: I am currently in the beginning processes of putting together an application for this grant for Alan Fleischman’s property across the street from the liquor store.  The purpose of the OMSRG program is to “a) acquire, rehabilitate, and construct buildings on properties in designated downtown areas statewide; and b) facilitate community revitalization that will lead to private investment, job creation or retention, establishing or expanding viable businesses, or creating a stronger tax base”.  The plan is to rehab the entire building and convert it into small commercial office suites, which would literally hit every single one of the above points.  The application is extremely long and complicated, and is going to require a good portion of my time for the next 5-6 weeks (due date: March 17).  However, I will have some assistance from ClackCo Business & Economic Development going forward.
• Economic Development Strategy update: In process.  This document requires a complete overhaul of entire sections that are no longer relevant.  I am also increasing the amount of relevant demographic data available.  As much of my time will be spent on the above project for the next month, look for this updated report in April.

Conferences/training: 

• January 19 – ICSC P3 Retail: Food Carts (Sentinel Hotel, Portland): seminar on food carts, micro kitchens and pop-up retail.
• January 31 – Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant workshop (Cottage Grove, OR): mandatory workshop for applicants.